Extensive multi-period cropmark complex including Bronze Age barrow cemetery and large undated enclosures, east of Lamarsh (EHER 9306)

This extensive multi-period cropmark complex includes a Bronze Age barrow cemetery, a large rectangular enclosure, a long oval enclosure, trackways and other linear features. These features are not all contemporary, but most are undated and known only from aerial photographs.

Cropmarks: at least one ring ditch in the field to the east of the railway at TL 894 536 and at least two other, smaller ones in the field west of the railway. <1> 1976. Field Survey. (NRHE data import: 381649) According to OS field report, 1976, a vague soil mark of a single oval ditch about 90m in diameter visible on OS. No trace of this enclosure is visible in standing crops. The site lies on the low river gravel of the River Stour floodplain. <2> Two further ring ditches visible on RAF air photographs at TL 8913 3574 measuring 29m in diameter and at TL 8911 3572 measuring 10m in diameter and the east angle of a rectangular enclosure with an entrance on the north east side centred TL 8934 3573. All of these cropmark sites lie on a low gravel terrace of the River Stour which is at present [1976] under crop. No features were visible on the ground and no finds are known to have come from the area according to the farmer at Lamarsh Hall. <33> No trace of the large oval enclosure is visible in standing crops. The site lies on the low river gravel of the River Stour flood plain.No finds are known to have come from the area according to the farmer. Possibly Iron Age/Romano-British. <33> Three small ring ditches west of the railway at TL 893 358, one and possibly three ring ditches with 61m (200 ft) diameter east of the railway line. <4> 1967. Trial trenching. Of the four adjacent ring ditches at Lamarsh Hall (TL 8925 3590) the second largest was trenched in 1967 without result. Subsoiling produced one small sherd. The ditch of the ring ditch proved to be just over 6 feet wide and only 3 feet deep. <5> Group of four ring ditches - the second largest of which was excavated in 1967. Diameters 16.75m (55ft), 12.8m (42ft), 9m (30ft), 4.5m (15ft). Centred TL 8925 3590. Also, at TL 8945 3600 a long oval enclosure (200ft approx) with a wide ditch was infilled in 1966; still slightly raised and visible after ploughing. Either an outer enclosure or second ring adjoins it and contains interior markings. <6> AP refs. <7> - <20> Linear features, rectangular enclosures, possibly a field system. Trackways also plotted and visible on aerial photographs. <21> Photo ref. <26> Aerial photography taken in 2018 and 2022 recorded an additional four or five new ring-ditches, which represent ploughed-level Bronze Age round barrows, as well as a rectangular enclosure. <28> <29> The mapped polygon has been increased to the north and north-east to include the features on the NMP cropmark plot. <30> NRHE data import (1582682): A large rectangular enclosure, probably medieval and/or post medieval in date is visible as cropmarks on 2011 aerial reconnaissance photographs, centred at TL 8943 3573. The enclosure measures 89m by 167m with at least two internal divisions and an entrance placed centrally on the north-west face. The enclosure is parallel to field boundaries on the first edition Ordnance Survey map and the cropmarks appear to show additional field boundary ditches linking the enclosure to the 19th century boundaries. Most ot the enclosure was previously mapped as part of the Essex NMP. <31> NRHE data import (381649): At least seven Bronze Age round barrow ring ditches are visible as cropmarks on air photographs. One was excavated, but found to be empty. Cropmark of a group of four ring ditches which measured 16.75m (55ft), 12.8m (42ft), 9m (30ft), 4.5m (15ft) in diameter. The one measuring 12.8m in diameter was excavated in 1967 and found to be sterile, see above. <6> Cropmarks visible on RAF photographs taken in 1950. <32> [Information about the OS field survey from this record is presented above in combination with information already in the EHER.] Additional 2011 aerial reconnaissance photography shows four of the above mentioned ring ditches plus one extra at TL 8924 3590, the whole suggesting a small Bronze Age barrow cemetery. The barrows range from 9m to 28m in diameter with a number displaying central pits, suggestive of inhumation, robbing or excavation. Most of the features were previously mapped by the Essex NMP. <31> NRHE data import (381643): A curvilinear enclosure and extensive field system, possibly Iron Age/Roman date, is visible as cropmarks on air photographs. The enclosure is oval in plan, defined by a ditch with a possible internal bank. This is abutted by a field boundary ditch which forms part of an extensive ditched field system extending to the east, north and west. TL 8945 3600 (Site B) Lamarsh Hall. Cropmark of a large oval enclosure, approximately 61m (200 feet) in diameter, with a wide ditch infilled in 1966 but still slightly mounded and visible after ploughing. Either an outer enclosure or second ring adjoins it and contains interior markings <6>. Cropmarks visible on RAF photographs taken in 1950. <34> Vague soilmark of a single oval ditch about 90m. In diameter visible on OS air photograph. <35> [Information about the OS field survey from this record is presented above in combination with information already in the EHER.] A curvilinear enclosure and extensive field system, possibly Iron Age/Roman date, is visible as cropmarks on 2011 aerial reconnaissance photographs <31>. The enclosure, at TL 8945 3600 is oval in plan measuring 53m by 67m, defined by a ditch with a possible internal bank showing on 2003 Google Earth photography <36>. This is abutted by a field boundary ditch which extends to the north to form part of an extensive ditched field system includes a probable north-south trackway at TL 8947 3627. Although morphologically different from later medieval activity in the immediate area it may be possible that this field system and enclosure may be later than Roman in date, perhaps early medieval. Much of the field system was previously mapped by the Essex NMP NRHE data import (1582681): A Bronze Age round barrow ring ditch is visible as a cropmark on 2011 aerial reconnaissance photographs, centred at TL 8936 3609. The feature has a diameter measuring 19m. The feature was previously mapped as part of the Essex NMP. <31>